What Can You Dry With a Hair Dryer and What Can’t You?

You can dry nails and clothes with a hair dryer, but it’s not recommended for drying phones, iPhones, or your body. Drying pets and shoes with a hair dryer requires caution.

Hair dryers are commonly used for more than just drying hair. They can be a quick solution for drying nail polish. The cool setting on a hair dryer speeds up the drying process by blowing air over the wet polish, reducing waiting time significantly.

Similarly, for clothes, especially small items, or in emergencies, a hair dryer can be a lifesaver. The warm air helps to evaporate moisture quickly, making it a handy tool when you need to dry something in a hurry.

However, there are certain items and situations where using a hair dryer is not advisable. Electronic devices like phones and iPhones are sensitive to heat. Applying hot air from a hair dryer can damage their internal components, especially if they have been exposed to water. This method can worsen the situation by pushing water deeper into the device. Similarly, using a hair dryer on the body, particularly on sensitive areas like ears, is not recommended due to the risk of burns and irritation.

For pets, the noise can be distressing, and the heat can be harmful to their skin. Shoes, while they can be dried using a hair dryer, may suffer damage from the concentrated heat, especially if they are made of delicate materials.

Read Also: Why You Can’t Use a Hair Dryer to Dry Wet Carpet?

What you can and can’t dry with a hair dryer

Hair dryers, while primarily designed for hair, have various other applications. Their suitability for different drying tasks depends on the nature of the item and the heat sensitivity involved.

Drying Nails

• Method: Use on a cool setting to quickly dry nail polish.
• Rationale: The airflow speeds up solvent evaporation in the polish.

Drying Clothes

• Method: Hang the clothes and apply warm air, moving the dryer around.
• Rationale: The warm air mimics a tumble dryer, speeding up water evaporation.

Drying Shoes

• Cautions: It’s generally a bad idea due to potential material damage.
• Method: If necessary, use on a low heat setting and keep the dryer moving.
• Rationale: Direct heat can warp or shrink shoe materials.

Drying Pets (Dogs/Cats)

• Cautions: Use only with low heat and at a distance.
• Rationale: Pets have sensitive skin, and the noise can be stressful.

Drying Electronics (Phones/iPhones)

• Why Not: Heat can damage internal components and worsen water damage.
• Alternative: Leave in a dry place, battery removed if possible, and use silica gel.

Drying Body/Ears

• Why Not: Risk of burns and irritation from direct heat.
• Alternative: Towel dry and allow to air dry naturally.

Special Note on Garments

• Why Not: Drying clothes while wearing them can cause burns.
• Alternative: Use a hair dryer on hung garments or let them air dry.